The stars were out for a good cause last night at Cipriani Wall Street. Elegant gowns, high ceilings and generous donations were the name of the game at the 20th annual DKMS Gala.
DKMS is one of the leading organizations fighting blood cancers and blood disorders around the world. Their work focuses on creating a network of bone marrow donors and receivers, ensuring that those in need find their match. The event included performances, a celebrity-filled red carpet, and a live auction hosted by actor Scott Adsit (30 Rock), and creator and philanthropist Hilaria Baldwin.
NEW YORK, NEW YORK – OCTOBER 15: (L-R) Viktoria Von Wulffen, Peter Harf and Katharina Harf attend the DKMS Gala 2026 at Cipriani Wall Street on October 15, 2026 in New York City. (Photo by Bryan Bedder/Getty Images for DKMS Gala)
Baldwin spoke with The Knockturnal about what this event means to her.
NEW YORK, NEW YORK – OCTOBER 15: (L-R) Dallas Wilson, Ezra Glass, Hilaria Baldwin, and Lauren Wilson attend the DKMS Gala 2026 at Cipriani Wall Street on October 15, 2026 in New York City. (Photo by Astrid Stawiarz/Getty Images for DKMS Gala)
“Tonight is going to be very emotional. I go to a lot of events. My husband and I have our foundation that we’re very passionate about,” said Baldwin, referring to The Hilaria and Alec Baldwin Foundation. “And one of the really special things about this specific event is you can make a difference here,” she said, referring to swabbing oneself to join the donor registry. “There’s so much that we can give, not just of our pockets, which is always important, but also of our own body and finding our heart. And so it’s real change in people’s lives that we can do directly from our own bodies.”
NEW YORK, NEW YORK – OCTOBER 15: (L-R) NYC Ballet Principal Dancers Tiler Peck and Joseph Gordon perform the Pas de deux from Rubies, Choreography by George Balanchine (C) The George Balanchine Trust onstage during the DKMS Gala 2026 at Cipriani Wall Street on October 15, 2026 in New York City. (Photo by Bryan Bedder/Getty Images for DKMS Gala)
Also attending the event was Love Island Season 25 winner Amaya Espinal. She explained that she was there to help spread awareness for the cause, and to use her growing platform for good.
“I have my platform, so why not use it for good and why not help spread awareness,” she said. “And I feel like this is going to help advance research, especially for blood diseases and blood cancers, and bring the community together.”
Another long time member of the DKMS community is model Coco Rocha. She said she wants attendees to leave the event with more information on how they can make a difference. “[What we want is that] tonight the people that have been in this room, [are] just going to leave going, “Wait, all I have to is swab, all I have to do is give you information, and then hope for the best one day that someone phones me,” saying ‘I am their match.’ It will be the most incredible day of their lives.”
NEW YORK, NEW YORK – OCTOBER 15: (L-R) Coco Rocha and Iver Eames Conran attend the DKMS Gala 2026 at Cipriani Wall Street on October 15, 2026 in New York City. (Photo by Bryan Bedder/Getty Images for DKMS Gala)
Rocha explained that while she has been a part of the DKMS family for over a decade, she is still waiting for her chance to change someone’s life. “I have never had that yet. I’m hoping one day I do get that phone call. I have been in the DKMS family for, let’s call it, at least 15 years. So one day, right? I’m going to get that phone call.”
The event featured a musical performance from Nile Rodgers & Chic, and dance performance from New York City Ballet Principal dancers Tiler Peck and Joseph Gordon.
One major donor, Dallas Wilson, wrote the song “Heart Like a Truck” for Lainey Wilson, which in an emotional on-stage moment he dedicated his musical performance of it to a real patient in the DKMS family, Ezra Glass.
Other notable attendees included legendary soap opera actress Susan Lucci, who starred in All My Children for 41 years, as well as The Boys actress Colby Minifie.
